Chapter 6- Capitol
I wake with a start the next day, have a quick shower and dress in a tank top and checked skirt. I put on my pumps from the reaping and go into the dining car for a quick breakfast.
Kate, Jaden and Cecilia are there already. I sit down next to Jaden and opposite Kate and pick my way through the richest breakfast I've ever seen and find some reasonably mundane things to eat. Toast, strawberry converse and tea. I eat up and get back up. I don't want to think about what's happening today. We're getting to the Capitol. I go to the car where there is a big window and sit there watching the world fly past. My mother and father will be at work. Worrying about me. I want to win. For them, for Jas, who I can blatantly see wants me to win. She doesn't want to loose another person to the Hunger Games. But mostly, I want to win for Caleb. I'm fine, I think as a tear rolls down my cheek. I know I'm not fine, but now's not the time to be thinking about things like that.
The train goes dark. We're in the tunnels that lead to the Capitol. My heart beats faster. We emerge, and a wonderful, but intimidating sight beholds my eyes. People dressed in strange costumes. No. I Shake my head. They aren't costumes. These are the norm in the Capitol and I instantaneously know I will never get used to it. The station itself is bright white. People are crowding round the train, getting a glimpse of us. I wave timidly. The train comes to a halt. Peacekeepers surround me and march me off the train. Kate is with them too, and we get off the train and whisked straight into the prep rooms. I am lead to my booth, and my prep team are waiting for me. They introduce themselves.
There's Rose, a woman with rose tinted skin, a bright pink wig and rose tattoos adorning her skin. Delilah has bright green hair, an electric blue dress and very high platform shoes. Hyacinth is in her early thirties and has purple hair and basically has purple everything. And finally Zachary, a man with blonde hair and blue highlights and a shocking pink suit.
They order me to undress and lie on a cold metal table. I feel dubiously exposed and nervous, but they don't seem bothered at all. They bathe me in this liquid that smells of mint. They wash my hair and lather it in foul smelling shampoo. Next, they get onto the part I am dreading most. Waxing. I sigh and grit my teeth, yelping every now and again. The wax is hot against my skin, but it's over in about ten minutes. They wash me in something that first burns, but then soothes my skin. Delilah orders me to take a pill which stops mother nature's monthly gift from coming and they send me to my stylist.
I walk gingerly to a door and open it. A man with a dark purple suit and brown hair is sitting on a table.
"Hello Laura," he says, his voice deep.
"Hi." I say awkwardly.
"I'm your stylist. My name is Julius." He says, holding out his hand. I shake it and sit down beside him. He hands me a robe to wear and I put it on graciously.
"I geuss you're here to doll me up, show me to the world." I say, looking at him like a hurt animal.
"Quite the opposite. I want you to win. I've lost too many people and this is my chance to help one person." He says, looking down.